1. DE Science Elementary “5-Minute Prep” For Changing Matter Atoms and Molecules > Atoms

2. Atoms – The Big Ideas All matter is made of atoms. Atoms are too small to be seen. Atoms are made of protons, neutrons, and electrons. Two or more atoms combined form a molecule. Molecules are too small to be seen.

3. Atoms – Prior Knowledge Atoms and the components of an atom are new concepts for students. It will be helpful for students to review matter with the Fun-damental, What’s the Matter. It will also be helpful if students have: What’s the Matter seen microscopic images and understand that some things are too small to be seen with the human eye.

4. Atoms – Common Misconceptions Atoms can be seen with a microscope. –Reality: Atoms cannot be seen with a microscope. The extent of an atom’s small size is often not well understood. For example, there are about one million atoms across the width of human hair, but many students guess a number in the hundreds or thousands. The electron shell is there to protect the nucleus, like an eggshell and a yolk. –Reality: Electron shells are not physical shells like eggshells. They are not thin or hard. They are regions around the nucleus where electrons can be found.

5. Atoms – Using DE Science Content When you close this presentation, you can review the following recommended resources for Atoms. Exploration: AtomsAtoms Reading Passage: Building BlocksBuilding Blocks Video: ElectronsElectrons Video: Understanding AtomsUnderstanding Atoms Use the PowerPoint version of this presentation for hyperlinks to these resources or you can get to them through the browser or search feature.

6. Atoms – Instructional Ideas Use a computer lab to have each student or pairs of students complete the Exploration: Atoms. Atoms –Students should define each of the terms: protons, neutrons, and electrons. –Students draw the helium atom and write a description of the movement and an explanation of why we cannot see this movement.

7. Atoms – Instructional Ideas Provide building blocks and allow the students a few minutes to build a structure. –Students read Building Blocks.Building Blocks –Students record the definition of an atom in their science journals.

8. State standards: If you wish to review your state standards regarding Atoms, click here to get to the curriculum standards search feature of DES. http://discoveryeducation.com/forward/curriculum.cfm You can click on any standard to see what resources are available to teach it. Additional Information: For additional content, check the Extend section within the concept.